VFF backs Govt's drought funding
Posted
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) is describing the State Government's $115 million drought support package as money well spent.
The package includes money for water bill rebates for irrigators and council rate subsidies for all of the state's farmers eligible for Exceptional Circumstances support during this financial year.
The VFF's Simon Ramsay says package will help to alleviate some short-term problems.
"It's money well spent by the taxpayer to keep regional communities in regional areas," he said.
Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu says the package is good for communities needing support.
"Perhaps if it had been announced earlier that would be a better thing, we would certainly argue so, but I'm not going to quibble about whether it's enough now," he said.
The Government says the package was brought forward because of farmers' urgent need for assistance.
The drought relief package yesterday includes $58 million for water rate subsidies.
At least $1,000 can be claimed by irrigators who have less than 30 per cent of their entitlement on December 1.
Graeme Hannan from Goulburn Murray Water says there is still a chance allocations might be higher than 30 per cent.
"I think the odds are around about a 50/50 odds for the larger systems, the Goulburn and Broken, the Goulburn and the Murray and possibly even the Broken," he said.
"But the chances of getting above 30 per cent on the Campaspe and Loddon are very low."
